US military says it redirected 12 ships trying to break Hormuz blockade
The US military has redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to bypass its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported stopping four ships they claimed were using illegal routes in the same strategic waterway.
Why it matters
This escalation highlights rising maritime tensions in a critical global oil transit chokepoint, increasing the risk of direct military confrontation between US and Iranian forces.
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RIYADH: The US military on Sunday said it had redirected 12 commercial vessels trying to run its blockade of Iranian ports.</p>
In a post on X, the Central Military Command said US forces disabled two ships that refused to comply, and boarded two more “to ensure total compliance.”</p>
Earlier on Saturday, US forces “completed a verification boarding aboard Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea, and the tanker is now continuing its journey,” CENTCOM said.</p>
It added that US forces disabled on July 24 the Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman “after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.” </p>
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<img alt= height=1200 src=https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/July/20/2026/graphic_hormuz_strait.jpg width=960 />
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Map of the Strait of Hormuz showing the shipping corridor coordinated by Oman and the Iran-designated corridor. (AFP)</figcaption>
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